As a physical therapist, Jarlo discovered how pain and restricted movement prevent so many from getting the most out of the things they enjoy in life.
He cofounded GMB Fitness to make strength and skill more accessible so anyone can learn to move better and enjoy their lives.
Physical therapist since 1998, Jarlo earned his Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT) in Musculoskeletal Management from Evidence In Motion Institutes of Health Professions in 2026. Board certified orthopedic clinical specialist (OCS) with the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (2011 to 2021), with extensive postgraduate training in neck and back rehabilitation with an emphasis in manual therapy. Certified Therapeutic Pain Specialist (TPS) through Evidence in Motion Institutes of Health Professions in partnership with Purdue University (2020).
Jarlo Ilano has been teaching martial arts for over 20 years, with a primary focus on Filipino Martial Arts. His main goal is to teach students how to fight effectively as quickly as possible and enjoy their training.
“My beginnings in martial arts and my interest in the capabilities of the human body began at 12 years old, with the typical community center karate classes that many children try and then leave behind when they get interested in other things. Except for me it’s been over 30 years and it’s still my main passion.
“It’s funny, I never really considered myself an athlete even though I did martial arts, boxed, and wrestled, likely because I didn’t do any “team sports”, and those were the markers of what everyone considered an athlete at the time. I did see myself as strong and flexible and those things because other people told me so and I could do a few things better than most.
“The interest in physical therapy came about organically from this, a lot of my colleagues have stories of being patients and that spurred them on to get into the field. I didn’t have that experience, I simply wanted to know everything I could about improving my practices and helping others to do that too. So it just fit.
“Later on when we started to develop and refine GMB Fitness, I realized that there was another common thread in my choice of professions, and it was that search for autonomy. The sense of freedom from having skill and moving well, to be able to conceive of a physical action and then work to performing it. That’s powerful. And I feel incredibly lucky to be in a place where I can help people find that for themselves.
Page header and headshot image credit: Daniel Berman
